He then talks about laboratory studies on televised violence and finds research points to more aggressive behavior in children. But also comedy can also produce aggressiveness. Rhodes comes to the conclusion that despite violent video games, viewed mock violence on TV, parents are responsible for the behaviors of their children. “Violence is on the decline in America, but if we want to reduce it even further, protecting children from real violence in their lives—not the pale shadow of mock violence—is the place to begin” (327), This feeling is mutual for me. I feel that violence in the home makes a huge impact on our adult lives.
Since its invention over fifty years ago, television has been criticized by many as being bad for children’s brains. As television has advanced throughout the years, so have the fast paced, mindless shows designed for young children. In the article “Is SpongeBob SquarePants Bad for Children?” Roni Rabin discusses a research study that sought to prove that watching SpongeBob SquarePants has a negative effect on a child’s executive functioning system. The results of this small experimental study found that children who watched nine minutes of a fast paced cartoon had decreased their executive functioning compared to children who participated in nine minutes of drawing or watching educational programs. Connecting fast paced television viewing to losses in cognitive ability has profound significance for children’s social and learning development.
It is easy for me to see something on TV and know that it wouldn’t be right to replicate it. For a young child this may not be the case. Children tend to act out what they see on TV with their friends at school. As an adult I can choose what to and what not to watch based on how much violence I wasn’t to see or how much I can take. For children, the parents have to monitor what they watch and heed the TV rating systems to insure their children are not getting an unhealthy dose of violence.
The adolescents do not take time to critically think about the consequence of the risky behaviors. Adults, on the other hand, take time to evaluate the consequences of such behaviors, and this explains why only a few adults engage in risky behaviors. Since adults and adolescents think and reason about risk in the same way, psychologists believe that the age differences in getting involved in risky behaviors is a result of the information differences adults and adolescents use in making decisions. Efforts to minimize adolescents’ risk taking aimed at altering their attitudes, beliefs, knowledge, have not been successful. However, providing
The Joe Camel character, it said, is not aimed at children, but 35-year-olds. “Kids recognize a lot of advertising directed to their parents”, said Peggy Carter, a company spokeswoman. It does not mean that they go out and use the products.” In addition, defenders of the company say the Surgeon General’s demand infringes on the company’s right to free commercial speech, it legal protection from censorship. Peart (1993). Advertisers often use sex or sexual content in advertising campaigns.
At a young age, children's minds are sponge-like, absorbing everything that surrounds them, which makes them easy targets in terms of manipulation and victimized by violent video games. Violent games might seem like harmless fun, but what if the violence attracts and addicts young players, affecting their behavior and their view of reality? Problem: Should Violent Video Games Be Monitored Some say that violent video games have minimal impact on young teenagers, pointing out that most video-game player’s live completely normal lives. The weaknesses in that argument are almost too obvious: first of all just because a player does not immediately imitate specific violent acts found in video games does not mean the games will not have any long-term negative effect on that player’s views and behavior. Because of this possibility, parents should assume responsibility for evaluating video games and should prohibit young teenagers from purchasing those that are especially violent.
By limiting the amount of time children watch television it is less aggression they may be viewing. Also a parent needs to be more involved in what shows are appropriate for their children to watch (163). Secondly, in a Diane Swanbrow article a study done by Psychological Science reports that, “People who play violent video games and watch violent movies are numb to the pain and suffering of other” (165). There was an article by Jon Bardin a writer for, Los Angeles Times that states, “Kids who play games like “Manhunt” and “Grand Theft Auto” are more likely to drive recklessly, according to a new study published in the academic journal Psychology of Popular Media Culture. On the other note, well-known author Gerard Jones states, “I am going to argue that it’s (violent entertainment) helped hundreds of people for everyone its hurt, and that it can help far more if we learn to use it well” (184).
Hundreds of studies have found that children and teenagers that watch television may: • Become “immune” or numb to the horror of violence • Gradually accept violence as a way to solve problems • Imitate the violence they observe on television; and • Identify with certain characters, victims and/or victimizers Also, Extensive viewing of television violence by children causes greater aggressiveness. In some cases, watching a single violent program can increase aggressiveness. So what are the Pros of Children Watching TV? • Because of its ability to create powerful touchstones, TV enables young people to share cultural experiences with others. • Shared viewing gives family members of all ages an opportunity to spend time together.
A major reason for this is that studies show that, for a young child, “Part of the increase in aggressive behavior is linked to the amount of time children are allowed to play video games. In one study by Walsh (2000), a majority of teens admitted that their parents do not impose a time limit on the number of hours they are allowed to play video games” (A. Norcia). Social skills are a very important part of growing up. Most behavioral problems can happen from having a lack or deficiency in social skill, which may lead to very high level of anxiety and anger that will have a negative effect on social skills. So by being in a social environment will help promote social skills.
Science shows that violent videogames does in fact increase aggression in teens and children, but it does not exactly clarify the magnitude of this increase for the vast majority. Patrick Markey, a psychologist at Villanova University, believes that violent videogames do increase aggression to people who are prone to violence. People who are not prone to violence do have an increase in aggression as well; however, the increase is only very subtle and would have little or almost